Hammers’ 2s walk in the Park

 

As your author sits down after a tough day at work, kicking back with a cup of tea and some country music in the background, he reminisces on another Saturday at Hurlingham Park;

Hammers 2XV came into the weekend of a strangely disappointing to 0-22 victory at Old Haberdashers (Via Harpenden), where some poor execution and discipline cost us a precious bonus point which would have seen us top the Middlesex Premier Division, 1 point ahead of rivals Belsize Park II’s. But here we are, honours even, and everything to play for.

A few enforced changes through availability, injury and call ups to the 1st XV meant a much changed XV, with a new look pack and a very handsome 9/10 partnership. All of this meant absolutely nothing as we gave a penalty away straight off the kick off, before regaining the ball off the resulting line out, only to lose the ball again inside our 22, allowing Rosslyn Park to bundle over to open the scoring early on.

Rocket, meet arse. The boys got their acts together, the backs looking very slick off set plays, cutting through the RP defence at will, with Cillian Waldron cutting brilliant lines (when he caught the ball), hat trick hero Jack Hooper looking untouchable out wide and James Maddigan introducing anyone coming down his channel to his large shoulders and the inexplicably firm January turf.

Tries began to flow with a mixture of power in the forwards, namely MOTM Adam Scaff, who must have ended the match with 100 meters made from Kick Off returns alone; and slick hands coupled with dangerous running in the backs. Tries from Alex Hart, Captain Cook, Max Dugdale Ash Mitchell, Joe Crawley and Jack Hooper x 3 were complimented by 4 conversions from Ben Dugdale who contests he would have finished the day with 100% success off the tee, had the balls been regulation PSI. Special shoutout to debutant Hugh Symons, who helped himself to a slice of Cheddar in the first half for some cynical play around the breakdown, I’m sure it was deserved.

A lesser author would have waxed lyrical about their try, midway through the 2nd half, spotting a gap in the overfolding defence, stepping inside, spinning a defender and calmly finishing under the sticks. Alas, in reality it was a 4 on 2 and I probably should have passed, but did Tom Vardell become the Premiership All Time try-scorer by executing simple 4 on 2’s`? No he did not.

Some superb team play throughout the game could have led to some serious highlights for this report, only for someone to drop the ball or the ref to blow up for something else, just shy of the line. Jack Hooper scored the games best try, finding space on the outside, stepping through a few tackles and finishing well. It was a good team performance, with the defence a very pleasing highlight despite conceding 2 tries, with feeling in the camp after the game that this side still had another gear to go.

MOTM – Adam Scaff DOTD – Hugh Symons

Onwards to Regents Park this weekend where we will face fellow title challengers Belsize Park. Lets hope the tubes are running.